Tire Recommendations-- '02 Celica GT

[The Critic]

My friend's '02 Celica GT(195/60-15 tires size) needs new tires. While she drives rather hard (esp cornering) and wants a tire that will has good wet and dry grip, she needs something that will last. Her budget is no more than $300 including installation.

Here are the tires that I have in mind. I'm interested in hearing from members who have used any of these tires. Or, if you feel that there is a better tire for this application, please feel free to recommend it.

1. Falken ZIEX ZE-512, $228 shipped from EBay

2. Falken ZIEX ZE-912, $232 shipped from Ebay

3. Hankook Optimo H418, $248 shipped from Ebay

4. Kumho ECSTA ASX, $221.82 shipped from TireRack

5. Kumho Solus KH16, $238.88 shipped from TireRack

I plan to have the tires installed at the Walmart TLE for about $50-$60.

Thanks in advance!

 

[97tbird]

I have the solus KH16 (235/60/16) on my tbird, and I like them a LOT! they've become quieter since i put them on, and handle pretty good, esp in rain...(it's a 3,995 lbs car):
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1090591/

wifey has the KH14 on her Elantra and they're a bit noisy, but have been great in handling and wear in all weather types.

 

[kartracer55]

Jeez talk about asking for the world.....

Id say open up a good year credit card with no interest for 90 days so she can break the payment into three and close it. Throw her on some Eagle f1 All seasons, but hey, thats just me. I also love my RSA's but they are useless in the lightest of snow and dont perform all too well in slippery conditions.

Sumitomo HTR H4's, 50$ each from tire rack. I would not consider putting ANY of those three brands on my car, they are all junk, the kumho's most of all. Why not tell her to calm down with her driving and put on quality tires? YOU REALLY need to wonder about a tire that is being sold to the CONSUMER for 50$ after tire rack gets their cut. Anyway, Sumi's are in cahoots with goodyear so I have some faith in them, and I mounted a set of these on our neighbor's maxima and he has been quite satisfied with them.

On a side note, for 68$ each she can get BFG Traction T/A's. My boss put these on his car and he loves them. Its a 4 door but he definitely pushes them to the limit. He has had them for 2 years now putting on approximately 50 miles a day 6 days a week. I have sold these to numerous customers with great satisfaction.

 

[Quattro Pete]

If she can stretch her budget just a little, I'd go for Bridgesone G009 or Yokohama Avid H4S.

 

[bretfraz]

At this price point all these tires will be about the same. I believe the Falken 512 has been discontinued, replaced by the 912. That might be your best performance choice.

With her driving style and limited budget, I wouldn't worry about tire wear, they'll all be very similar. Well, maybe except for the ASX which has a rep for xlnt dry grip but horrible wear.

The Solus KH16 and the Hankook's are the wrong tires for her, they're touring tires not really performance types.

 

[mechtech2]

The Kumho Excstas are an all season tire. I had a set and they were good in every category, sometimes very good, but not excellent in any one thing.
See if she really needs an all season tire before diving in with these.
I have BF Goodrich Traction TAs on now, and they are also all season and very good.

 

[mechtech2]

The Kumho Excstas are an all season tire. I had a set and they were good in every category, sometimes very good, but not excellent in any one thing.
See if she really needs an all season tire before diving in with these.
I have BF Goodrich Traction TAs on now, and they are also all season and very good.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
See if she really needs an all season tire before diving in with these.

My guess is that he's considering A/S because he wants long wear. Most summer-only tires will not last as long as all-seasons. Besides, in his budget, I don't think there is much choice when it comes to summer tires. I agree with you though that all-seasons aren't a particulary good choice if you like very spirited driving. Personally, I'd much rather have a tire that provides great grip and handling in summer at the expense of shorter treadlife, but different people have different preferences/priorities. The worst thing would be getting stuck with a tire that handles and grips poorly and on top of that just does not want to wear out.

 

[GC4lunch]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
The Kumho Excstas are an all season tire. I had a set and they were good in every category, sometimes very good, but not excellent in any one thing.
See if she really needs an all season tire before diving in with these.
I have BF Goodrich Traction TAs on now, and they are also all season and very good.

The OP is in Northern California; we do not know where his friend drives. Unless she drives where there is light (but not yet packed) snow, all season tires are contraindicated, as she will get much better wet traction (wet roads are found throughout Northern California) with three-season tires than with all season tires.

The Yokohama AVS ES100 is currently being closed out, and is very attractively priced at places like Tire Rack. It will substantially outperform any of the tires originally suggested.

 

[glennc]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
The worst thing would be getting stuck with a tire that handles and grips poorly and on top of that just does not want to wear out.

Yes, I agree! There is nothing worse than a lousy tire that lasts forever!